Impact of local cold and heat exposition on skin temperature on manual performance during maneuverability exercises in powerchair soccer players

Abstract

Objective

To assess the impact of cold and heat conditions on manual performance during maneuverability exercises in powerchair football players.

Method

Ten volunteers with heterogeneous pathologies engaged in FIPFA competitions participated in the study. The assessments consisted of answering a survey, carrying out a computer maneuverability path before and after immersion of upper limb in cold water (8 °C); before and after exposure to heat (hair-dryer). The skin temperature (hand and forearm) perceptive scales (thermal sensation and comfort, effort, pain) were also measured.

Results

Conditions did not significantly impact mean test result (Heat = +5.3 boxes; Cold = −6.3 boxes; NS) but some subject were highly impacted with cold condition. A slight downward trend was observed for the cold and a slight upward for the heat. The cold and heat influenced the both hand and forearm skin temperature, the thermal sensation and the thermal comfort of the players in contrast to the perception of effort and pain (hand after Heat = +5.9°3.9 °C, hand after Cold = −11°1.4 °C; forearm after Heat = +1.9°1.0 °C, forearm after Cold = −0.6°0.7 °C; P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The results suggest that individually, cold condition might affect negatively manual dexterity and performance of some powerchair football players. To put athletes in best playing environment conditions, the instance of powerchair football need to legislate for a minimal ambient temperature.